Speaker of the House Andy Tobin all but conceded Medicaid Expansion to Governor Brewer. Tobin added a piece of legislation (1057; Regulation Of Ambulances And Ambulance Services) to the House line-up this morning which will allow Brewer’s team to revive Medicaid expansion.
One republican representative said from the House this morning, “we are seeing a total failure of leadership.”
Just yesterday, after the House Appropriations Committee killed Medicaid expansion, Tobin released a statement addressing the “pitfalls associated with Medicaid expansion. The committee’s conclusion demonstrates the obvious problems Republicans generally have with the plan and it also shows that their decision is one that should not be taken lightly.”
Popular Tucson radio show host, James T. Harris of 104.1FM, broke the news on his website. According to Capitol insiders Tobin made a political calculation; weighing his future fundraising success with big hospitals and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, against his chances in a republican primary for CD1. While it is unlikely he would now make it out of a republican primary, as the vast majority of republicans oppose, his chances would be improved with the high powered fundraising abilities of Brewer advisor, Chuck Coughlin.
This year, Tobin was unable to pass any of his proposed legislation, which one legislator believed was the “greatest indication of his lacking leadership.”
Still, other source report that Tobin was trying to cut a last minute deal with representatives Ethan Orr and T.J. Shope, who have supported expansion.
The House was supposed to take up the matter today at 10:00 a.m., but according to sources the hearing has been delayed until 1:30.